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1-Pot BBQ Baked Beans

Saucy, smoky BBQ pinto beans simmered in 1 pot in a rich sauce of spices, tomato paste, mustard, and coconut sugar. A healthier take on this classic dish!

Prep Time
6 hrs 15 mins
Cook Time
2 hrs 15 mins
Total Time
8 hrs 21 mins
Servings: 10 (1/2-cup servings)
Calories: 259 kcal
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American , Vegan

Ingredients

  • 3 cups dry pinto beans* (soaked overnight in cool water, or at least 6 hours)
  • 1 Tbsp olive oil (if avoiding oil, sub water)
  • 1 1/2 cups chopped white or yellow onion
  • 1 small red bell pepper, chopped
  • 2 cups vegetable broth (or store-bought // we prefer Imagine brand, not Trader Joe's)
  • water (enough to cover beans by 1 inch)
  • 2 Tbsp yellow or spicy brown mustard
  • 1/2 cup tomato paste (plus more to taste)
  • 1/3 cup coconut sugar (more or less to taste // or sub maple syrup or stevia)
  • 1/4 tsp each sea salt and black pepper (plus more to taste)
  • 1-2 Tbsp chili powder* (adjust to preferred spice level)
  • 1-2 tsp liquid smoke (adds smoky flavor that typically comes from bacon)
  • 1 tsp hot sauce (optional // we like Tapatio)

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Add pinto beans to a large pot and cover with cool water (at least a few inches above the beans as they will expand). Soak for at least 6 hours or overnight* uncovered at room temperature. Once beans are soaked, drain and set aside.
  2. Heat your large pot over medium heat. Once hot, add oil (or water), diced onion, and bell pepper. Sauté for 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently, or until onion is soft and translucent.
  3. Next, add drained beans and vegetable broth and cover with water about 1 inch over the top, as the beans will expand while cooking. Bring to a low boil. Then reduce heat to low or medium-low so it simmers but doesn’t boil. Cook uncovered for 1 hour or until beans are tender.
  4. Once the beans are tender and cooked through, add remaining seasonings: Mustard, tomato paste, coconut sugar, salt, pepper, chili powder, liquid smoke, and hot sauce (optional). Stir to coat and cook on low for 10-15 more minutes to let the flavors meld.
  5. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed, adding more salt to taste, chili powder or hot sauce for heat, coconut sugar for sweetness, mustard for tanginess, or tomato paste for depth of flavor. You want them very well seasoned, so don't be shy!
  6. Your beans are now ready to enjoy! Store leftovers well covered in the refrigerator up to 5 days. Will keep in the freezer for 1 month (oftentimes longer).

Notes

  • *For reference, 1 pound dried beans typically equals about 2 cups dried or 4 cups cooked.*The chili powder I used was from Whole Foods and contains a blend of chili peppers, cumin, garlic, oregano, coriander, cloves and allspice.*6-8 hours is the optimal amount of time for soaking your beans. The longer you soak them, the more tender they will become, and the more likely they will split and separate during cooking. So if you can't get to them right away, simply drain, cover, and refrigerate until ready to use.*I recently discovered that Trader Joe's beans are BPA-free, which is great news if you forget to prep ahead of time. In a pinch, buying cans that are BPA-free is still a good option. Just use about 5 cups well-drained beans (measured after draining) in place of the dry beans. Cook the onion and pepper as instructed. Then add beans but omit the vegetable broth and water, skip the 1-hour simmering time, and go straight for the tomato paste, mustard, and spices, etc. Cook as instructed from there.*Recipe method adapted from Ree Drummond.*Nutrition information is a rough estimate for 1 half-cup serving (of 10)  servings. The recipe as written yields roughly 5 cups cooked beans.
  • *For reference, 1 pound dried beans typically equals about 2 cups dried or 4 cups cooked.
  • *The chili powder I used was from Whole Foods and contains a blend of chili peppers, cumin, garlic, oregano, coriander, cloves and allspice.
  • *6-8 hours is the optimal amount of time for soaking your beans. The longer you soak them, the more tender they will become, and the more likely they will split and separate during cooking. So if you can't get to them right away, simply drain, cover, and refrigerate until ready to use.
  • *I recently discovered that
  • Trader Joe's beans are BPA-free
  • , which is great news if you forget to prep ahead of time. In a pinch, buying cans that are BPA-free is still a good option. Just use about 5 cups well-drained beans (measured after draining) in place of the dry beans. Cook the onion and pepper as instructed. Then add beans but omit the vegetable broth and water, skip the 1-hour simmering time, and go straight for the tomato paste, mustard, and spices, etc. Cook as instructed from there.*Recipe method adapted from Ree Drummond.*Nutrition information is a rough estimate for 1 half-cup serving (of 10)  servings. The recipe as written yields roughly 5 cups cooked beans.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1serving Calories 259 (13%) Carbohydrates 47g (16%) Protein 13g (26%) Fat 2g (3%) Cholesterol 0mg (0%) Sodium 427mg (18%) Potassium 1009mg (29%) Fiber 10g (40%) Sugar 8g (16%) Vitamin A 770IU (15%) Vitamin C 18.1mg (20%) Calcium 80mg (8%) Iron 3.6mg (20%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 10(1/2-cup servings)

Amount Per Serving

Calories 259

% Daily Value*

Serving 1serving
Calories 259 13%
Carbohydrates 47g 16%
Protein 13g 26%
Fat 2g 3%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 427mg 18%
Potassium 1009mg 21%
Fiber 10g 40%
Sugar 8g 16%
Vitamin A 770IU 15%
Vitamin C 18.1mg 20%
Calcium 80mg 8%
Iron 3.6mg 20%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.